Classic Lasagna with Ricotta Recipe

Introduction

Classic Lasagna with Ricotta is a beloved comforting dish that combines rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta layers, and gooey melted mozzarella stacked between tender noodles. This recipe guides you through creating a hearty, flavorful lasagna perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
• 1 jar (24 oz) good-quality marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
• 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef (and sausage if using). Break up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat, leaving a tablespoon or two for flavor if desired.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic to the meat and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: While the sauce simmers, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir well and taste to adjust seasoning.
5. Step 5: If using regular noodles, boil salted water and cook noodles for 4-5 minutes until al dente. Drain and lay flat to prevent sticking. Skip this if using oven-ready noodles.
6. Step 6: Spread about ¾ cup meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 3 noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping if needed.
7. Step 7: Dollop half the ricotta mixture over noodles and spread evenly. Sprinkle ½ cup shredded mozzarella on top, then spoon 1 ½ cups meat sauce over the cheese and spread out.
8. Step 8: Repeat layering with 3 noodles, remaining ricotta, ½ cup mozzarella, and 1 ½ cups sauce.
9. Step 9: For the top layer, place the last 3 noodles, cover with remaining meat sauce, and generously top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
10. Step 10: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil carefully and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
11. Step 11: Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow layers to set for clean portions.

Tips & Variations

• Use half Italian sausage and half ground beef for deeper flavor with a hint of fennel spice.
• Substitute whole-milk cottage cheese blended smooth if ricotta is unavailable.
• For easier prep, use oven-ready noodles but increase sauce slightly to keep it moist.
• Freshly grate your own Parmesan and mozzarella for the best melting and flavor.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg to the ricotta mixture for a subtle warmth.

Storage

Store leftover lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm covered in a 350°F oven until heated through. Lasagna can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire lasagna and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Do I need to boil the noodles if I use oven-ready noodles?

No, oven-ready noodles do not require boiling. They cook perfectly during baking, but make sure your sauce is slightly saucier to keep the noodles from drying out.

Classic Lasagna with Ricotta Recipe

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4.9 from 67 reviews

Classic Lasagna with Ricotta is a comforting and hearty Italian-American dish featuring layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, tender lasagna noodles, and melty mozzarella cheese, baked to bubbly golden perfection. This recipe balances rich flavors with simple ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
• 1 jar (24 oz) good-quality marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste

Ricotta Mixture

• 1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil (or 1 tsp dried herbs)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Other

• 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (a blend of low-moisture whole-milk and fresh mozzarella recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Create the Hearty Meat Sauce: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage (if using), breaking it up as it cooks. Drain most of the fat, leaving a tablespoon or two for flavor. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat, and let it simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to marry the flavors.
3. Whip Up the Creamy Ricotta Layer: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and homogeneous. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside.
4. Prepare Your Noodles: If using regular lasagna noodles, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles for 4-5 minutes until very al dente but pliable. Drain and lay flat on parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking. If using oven-ready noodles, skip this step.
5. Assemble the Layers: Spread about ¾ cup of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Place 3 noodles side by side over the sauce. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over the noodles and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded mozzarella over the ricotta. Spoon 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the cheese and spread evenly. Repeat the layering sequence: noodles, ricotta mixture, ½ cup mozzarella, 1 ½ cups meat sauce.
6. The Grand Finale: For the top layer, place the last 3 noodles over the sauce. Spread the remaining meat sauce evenly atop the noodles to avoid dry edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup (or more) of shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top to create a bubbly golden crust.
7. Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and cook the noodles without drying out. Bake for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and watch for steam, then return the uncovered dish to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top and sauce is bubbling around the edges.
8. Rest Before Serving: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest on the stovetop or counter for 10-15 minutes. This important step allows the layers to set, resulting in clean slices and preventing the lasagna from falling apart.

Notes

• Using half Italian sausage adds a wonderful depth of flavor, but ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for a lighter option.
• For a no-boil approach, use oven-ready noodles and ensure extra sauce to hydrate the noodles during baking.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers better flavor and texture than pre-grated varieties.
• Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking is crucial for easier slicing and serving.
• If you prefer, blend whole-milk cottage cheese to substitute ricotta.

Keywords: lasagna, ricotta lasagna, classic lasagna, baked pasta, Italian comfort food, homemade lasagna